Floor cleansing device



D 1963 E. R. BALLANTYNE FLOOR CLEANSING'DEYICE Filed July 25, 1962 1' J M 1 m 4 1 4 I I I .2 H 4 2 3 3 I 4 1 a w w 6 midway a I... 5 1 1 I. 2 I m 4 I. L L

United States Patent Oflice 3,114,927 Patented Dec. 24., 1963 3,114,927 FLGOR CLEANSING DEVICE Earnest R. Bailantyne, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to Wayne Chemical Company, a corporation of ()hio Filed July 25, W62, Ser. No. 212,3ill) 11 Claims. (Cl. 15526) This invention relates generally to floor covering cleansing devices and specifically to a new and improved method and means of controlling the dispensing of the cleansing agent on the material to be cleansed to facilitate the brush action in the cleansing device.

This application relates to and is an improvement on my co-pending applications, Serial Number 128,800, filed June 13, 1961, for Floor Cleansing Device; Serial Number 134,596, filed August 27, 1961, for Improved Floor Cleansing Device; Serial Number 164,348, filed January 4, 1962, for Improved Floor Cleansing Device; and Serial Number 183,966, filed March 30, 1962, for Improved Floor Oleansing Device. In my earliest co-pending application, I disclosed the unique principle of a self-contained floor cleansing device for converting the detergent material to suds or foam prior to application to the floor covering. By only applying foam to the material to be cleansed, the material remains comparatively dry thereby removing the danger of shrinkage and rapid subsequent soiling. Also, a uniform application of cleanser is applied and only the detergent that is used is dispensed.

To utilize this basic principle, I have disclosed in my earliest co-pending application apparatus that generally comprises a detergent storage tank, a pump means for converting the detergent to foam and a foam applicator. The pump means is actuated by the movement of the floor contacting mechanism.

In my second filed co-pending application I have disclosed a method and means of incorporating the pump mechanism directly into the handle of the cleansing device. In this way there is eliminated the necessity of driving the pump with the movement of the Wheels on the floor activator. Consequently, the linking mechanisms and its other attendant mechanical movements are not required and the onl force necessary to be exerted is that of imparting the brush action directly to the floor.

In my next filed 'co-pending application the floor cleansing device, utilizing the foam principle of my prior inventions, is made more readily adaptable to the operation dispersing laterally the foam generated prior to its application to the floor covering. The operation is further facilitated when the foam applied to the floor covering is rolled or spread into the piles or surface.

In my last filed co-pending application I have provided a new and improved air injection means for improving upon the apparatus and operation of the foam generating devices disclosed in my earlier co-pending applications.

Although the systems disclosed in my co-pending applications have proven to be fully operable, as intended, I now find that around the spray nozzle there may build up in time solid detergent. This detergent build-up in turn impairs the spraying action and, if permitted to exist, will cause breakdown. I have also found in certain applications, such as in a heavy pile carpet, it may be desirable to increase the wetness of the foam. In either instance, whether there is detergent build-up or whether it is desired to increase the wetness of the foam, my present invention discloses method and means of varying the ratio air to fluid and thereby control the relative dryness of the foam.

Accordingly, it is a general object of my present invention to provide a new and improved floor cleansing device that utilizes the basic principle of applying only detergent foam to the material to be cleansed.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a floor cleansing device with an improved air injection mechanism.

It is another object of my invention to provide a cleansing device having an adjustable air-to-fluid ratio.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a floor cleansing device that is extremely rugged and yet simple in operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which,

FIG. 1 is an over-all illustration of a preferred embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the air injection mechanism incorporating the principles of the present invention for the foam generator shown generally in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an alternative arrangement for the foam-to-air ratio adjustment of FIG. 1.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, there is shown in perspective a preferred embodiment of my present invention. The embodiment comprises a handle generally shown at It having supported thereon a liquid detergent storage tank 20, and applicator brushes 14 and 16 and roller 13 for applying the foam to the floor covering or other material desired to be cleansed.

In operation of my present invention, when the mechanism is pushed forward the manual force causes the handle 10 to act as an air pump for the foam generator. The generated foam is then dispersed to the floor covering.

The operation of the spraying action of the foam generator of FIG. 1 is described fully in the aforementioned co-pending applications. However, briefly the liquid from storage tank 20 is forced up the tube 44 upon air pressure build-up in chamber 20. A portion of the air in chamber 46 is also forced through the ports 50 and 59a located on either side of the nozzle 34. The air entering the area 14 causes a spraying action through the mixture of air with the fluid from the orifice 19. The liquid and air strikes the inner walls of the outer housing 36 and is forced through the port 38 in a fine spray.

In actual practice of the cleansing device, it has been found that the ratio of air to liquid is not a constant factor for the cleansing of all types of carpets. More precisely, in cleaning a heavy pile carpet or rug, a dry foam would not be sufficiently penetrating to clean the entire pile. On the other hand, in cleaning a relatively smooth carpet, a wet foam would not be necessary. Accordingly, to more generally apply the foam generated cleansing device, it has been found expedient to devise means to vary the relative wetness of the foam.

In another instancewith a constant ratio of air to liquid-it has been found that after extended usage of the cleansing device that dry detergent will build up on the fluid tube nozzle and specifically around the orifice 10. This build-up would impede the amount of liquid expelled and consequently vary the air-to-liquid ratio for proper spraying action.

In order to overcome the above dry detergent build up, and also to extend the applicability of the floor cleansing device, there is provided in the present invention a variable nozzle positioned beneath the removable cap 22. This improvement permits the operator to control the wetness of the foam, i.e., the air-to-liquid ratio. More specifically, in the cut-a-way section shown in FIG. 2, the spray nozzle 36 is threaded onto tube 34. In this way, to control the mixture of air to liquid, the nozzle 36 may be adjusted forward and back. That is, when nozzle 36 is screwed back against fluid tube nozzle Itl, it cuts off air flow from air ports 5t and 50a and fluid only is dispensed. As nozzle 36 is screwed out an increasing amount of air escapes through ports 50 and 50a, thus increasing the amount of air mixing with the liquid from the orifice in nozzle 10. It is apparent that by controlling the amount of air to be mixed with the liquid detergent, the spray expelled from port 38 will be wetter or dryer. Consequently, as this spray strikes the screen 42, there will emerge therefrom a foam of controlled wetness.

In order to manually adjust the degree of wetness, the nozzle 36 is permanently fastened to the outer housing 40. Secured to housing 40 is the adjusting lever ring 26 made available for manipulation by removing the cap 22. It is readily seen that by rotating the ring 26 in one direction or another, the nozzle 36 is screwed in or out to the amount desired. A cap 22 is provided to cover the opening 24. An alternative arrangement for adjusting the position of the nozzle 36 is shown in FIG. 3. In this instance there is secured to the nozzle 36 through housing 40 a knob 35 having a gear 52. In engagement with gear 52 of knob 35 is a rack 54. By an up-and-down movement of the rack 54 through guide means 37 positioned in the inner wall 49 the rotational position of the nozzle 36 is controlled. n the handle 56 there are found indications 58 and 60 for the convenience of the user to indicate the desired wetness.

Although I have shown a certain and specific embodiment, it is understood that departures may be had thereto within the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A cleansing device comprising a frame member, a liquid detergent storage tank, an air actuating mechanism and an air chamber in communication with said tank and said air actuating mechanism; a spray nozzle, means connecting said spray nozzle to said tank and said air chamher, said nozzle having an orifice to expell under pressure said liquid and ports to expel air from said chamber, an outer housing for said nozzle having an inner area for mixing said air and liquid and further having an orifice for expelling the spray generated therein, means for adjusting the relative position of said outer housing of said nozzle to control the amount of air mixed with said liquid; and a screen adjacent said spray to convert said mixture to foam having a wetness proportional to the ratio of said liquid to air.

2. A cleansing devise as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outer housing of said nozzle is in threaded engagement with said nozzle.

3. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inner Wall of said housing is in threaded engagement with said nozzle.

4. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 1 further comprising lever adjusting means connected to said outer nozzle housing for adjusting the air-to-liquid ratio.

5. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adjusting means includes a rack and gear arrangement, said gear being fastened to said outer housing and said rack in engagement with said gear for adjustment of said liquid-to-air ratio.

6. A cleansing device comprising a frame member, a liquid detergent storage tank, a self contained air actuating mechanism, and an air chamber in communication with said tank and said air actuating mechanism; a spray nozzle, means connecting said spray nozzle to said tank and said air chamber, said nozzle having an orifice to expel under presure said detergent from said tank and ports to expel air from said chamber, an outer housing for said nozzle having an inner area for mixing said air and detergent and further having an orifice for expelling the spray generated therein, means for varying the size of said inner area to control the amount of air mixed with said liquid; and a liquid detergent impedance means adjacent said spray to convert said mixture passing there through under pressure to foam having a density proportional to the ratio of said liquid to air.

7. A cleansing device comprising a frame member, a liquid detergent storage tank, a self contained air actuating mechanism, and an air chamber in communication with said tank and said air actuating mechanism; a spray nozzle, means connecting said spray nozzle to said tank and said air chamber, said nozzle having an orifice to expel under pressure said detergent from said tank and ports to expel air from said chamber, an outer housing for said nozzle having an inner area for mixing said air and detergent and further having an orifice for expelling the spray generated therein, means for varying the size of said inner area to control the amount of air mixed with said liquid; and a liquid detergent impedance means adjacent said spray to convert said mixture passing therethrough under pressure to foam having a bubble size proportional to the ratio of said liquid to air.

8. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said outer housing and said nozzle is in threaded engagement with said nozzle and said means for varying said area includes means for adjusting the relative position of said outer housing relative to said nozzle.

9. A cleansing device of the kind described comprising a housing having an enlarged workpiece contacting means, an elongated handle, a liquid detergent storage tank mounted on said housing, air generating pump means posi tioned adjacent to and in communication with said liquid storage tank, an activator associated with the movement of said handle for activating said pump means and to communicate air into said detergent storage tank, an outlet means for simultaneously expelling said liquid detergent and air from said detergent tank, means for adjusting the ratio of said air to detergent expelled from said tank, liquid detergent impedance means positioned adjacent said expelling outlet of said tank, said air in said tank causing a pressure buildup to force said air and detergent through said impedance means, and to convert said detergent and air to foam with a wetness directly related to the ratio of said air to detergent, and transfer means connected to said foam generator for transferring said foam to said workpiece.

10. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said ratio adjusting means further includes means for mixing said air with said detergent prior to striking said impedance means.

11. A cleansing device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said impedance means comprises a wire mesh screen.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,382,055 Bojko June 21, 1921 1,763,832 Taylor June 17, 1930 2,735,125 Erbs Feb. 21, 1956 2,960,710 McKeegan Nov. 22, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 774,294 France Sept. 17, 1934 

1. A CLEANSING DEVICE COMPRISING A FRAME MEMBER, A LIQUID DETERGENT STORAGE TANK, AN AIR ACTUATING MECHANISM AND AN AIR CHAMBER IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID TANK AND SAID AIR ACTUATING MECHANISM; A SPRAY NOZZLE, MEANS CONNECTING SAID SPRAY NOZZLE TO SAID TANK AND SAID AIR CHAMBER, SAID NOZZLE HAVING AN ORIFICE TO EXPELL UNDER PRESSURE SAID LIQUID AND PORTS TO EXPEL AIR FROM SAID CHAMBER, AN OUTER HOUSING FOR SAID NOZZLE HAVING AN INNER AREA FOR MIXING SAID AIR AND LIQUID AND FURTHER HAVING AN ORIFICE FOR EXPELLING THE SPRAY GENERATED THEREIN, MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE RELATIVE POSITION OF SAID OUTER HOUSING OF SAID NOZZLE TO CONTROL THE AMOUNT OF AIR MIXED WITH SAID LIQUID; AND A SCREEN ADJACENT SAID SPRAY TO CONVERT SAID MIXTURE TO FOAM HAVING A WETNESS PROPORTIONAL TO THE RATIO OF SAID LIQUID TO AIR. 